KOTA KINABALU: A jogger in her 30s suffered serious injuries when she was attacked by a family of otters, including two cubs at Perdana Park here this morning.
They also attacked two other joggers who attempted to help the victim.
The early morning incident was said to be the first reported case in the state.
The jogger, Mariasella Harun, who is a regular at the park, sustained injuries all over her body and was sent to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for medical treatment.
In the 6.10am incident, she said she noticed something emerging from the drain near the Kinabalu Golf Club and only noticed the otters later.
"At first, I thought it was a cart, but the creature jumped out and bit me while I was running, and there were many of them.
"I could not even stand up when it happened," she said.
The joggers who came to Mariasella's aid said the otters were in a heightened state of aggression during the incident.
Meanwhile, the Sabah Wildlife Department Director Roland Niun when contacted, said the attack was the first recorded case in the state.
He said the department received a report on the incident this morning and found that the otters may have slipped into the jogging area at the park through a damaged fence.
It had since been repaired to prevent further access, he said.
"Otters are typically spotted at the park in the morning and evening, and they would then leave the area.
"This park, popular with families and joggers, is located close to water sources such as swamps, drains, and ditches, which are the otters' natural habitats," he said.
He said it was likely that the presence of water sources and fishing opportunities had brought the otters to the area, and they were threatened by the presence of humans near their cubs or den, which led to their defensive reaction.
Ruin said the park's proximity to a beach and golf course provides excellent fishing grounds for the otters.
"It is important not to interact, approach or feed these animals because they can become aggressive when they feel threatened."